Along with flowers, springtime brings plenty of rain as well. As the rain starts up again, make sure you are ready to drive in the rain and that your vehicle is ready as well.

#1 Give Yourself Extra Space

When you are driving in the rain, you need to give yourself extra space. Do not follow so closely to the car in front of you; put the most distance between you and the other cars on the road.

When you need to turn, start to brake before you enter your turn. This will help you keep your track on a wet and rainy road. After you are done with your turn, accelerate out of the turn.

Giving yourself extra space from other vehicles and giving yourself extra space and time to make a turn will really help you keep your traction. This will prevent you from getting into an accident and needing auto body work. 

#2 Use Your Headlights

When it is raining or even just a little misty outside, you need to use your headlights. Using your headlights, even during the daytime, helps make your car more visible to the other vehicles on the road, which in turns makes your driving experience a little safer.

The lens on your headlights can get cloudy over time. Take some time to clean the lens to your headlights. This will give you more light to see with.

If your headlights still seem too dim after cleaning the lenses, you need to change out your headlights. Your auto repair shop can help you change out the headlight. 

#3 Avoid Ruts & Puddles

When you are driving, don't go barreling through the puddles you see on the road. If possible, switch lanes to avoid driving through them. Driving through puddles can be extremely dangerous. You don't know how deep a puddle is or if it is hiding a big pothole or even an exposed manhole. Don't drive through the water when you don't know what the road conditions are under the water.

Additionally, blasting through water pooled on the road can increase your chance of hydroplaning and losing control of your car, so take a pass when it comes to driving through large puddles with your vehicle.

Remembers, puddles could hide big potholes that could throw off the alignment of your vehicle and damage your suspension, results in costly auto repair needs. 

#4 Take Care of Your Windshield Wipers

When you run into a big spring rainstorm, your windshield wipers are the first defense that allows you to see when it is pouring outside.

If your windshield wipers are leaving streaks when you run them, it is time to replace your windshield wipers. Windshield wipers should actually be replaced every few months. Most auto part stores will happily wipe out your windshield wipers for you as well.

#5 Clean Your Windows

Finally, be sure to clean your windows inside and out. Your windows tend to get foggier on the inside when they are dirty and the moisture can cling to the dust. When your windows start to fog up, don't wipe away the moisture, which can leave streaks on your windows.

Instead, turn on the defrost, and allow it to do its magic. Also, circulate air from outside of your car instead of inside of your car.

On the outside of your car, apply a rain repellant on the windshield. This will help rain move more quickly off your windshield when you are driving.

As the rainy spring season starts, head to an auto repair shop such as Benchmark Motors INC and have your tires, brakes, headlights, and windshield wipers inspected. These four elements play an important role in keeping you safe as you drive your vehicle through spring rain storms.